2011 - Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts, Sylvain Cathiard

Medium red. Deep, ripe aromas of raspberry, redcurrant, rose petal and underbrush, with complementary oak tones. Rich, sappy and sweet; compellingly round and ripe but with lovely underlying minerality providing support to the red fruit flavors. Captivating wine with ripe tannins and excellent perfumed length. This boasts near-grand cru texture.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. Compared to the other four Malconsorts ‘11s in this peer group, the Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts 2011 from Sylvain Cathiard has the most vivacious red fruit on the nose with joyous red cherries, redcurrant and fresh strawberry scents. You might call this a carefree bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a keen line of acidity, but it does not deliver the same structure or complexity on the finish as others. This is still a fine Malconsorts that will benefit from several years in the cellar.

Pale to mid ruby. Drive and complexity on the nose. Racy fruit and obviously not a grand cru but a very agreeable red burgundy. Savoury and interesting… and really long. Well done! (JR)